Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf is set to land in Milan later today to begin his tenure as AC Milan coach having replaced the axed Massimiliano Allegri.

Seedorf has a lot of work to do if he is to turn around the fortunes of a Rossoneri side languishing in lower mid-table after a dismal first part of the season.

Beginning his first coaching role having left Brazilian side Botafogo to take up the challenge, Seedorf is expected to look for new faces as quickly as possible.

It is widely believed that one of the reasons Milan pulled the plug on Allegri when they did was so that Seedorf could choose some recruits and it is being suggested that the first of those may be Chelsea's Michael Essien.

The Ghanian midfielder was a pivotal figure after joining Chelsea in 2005 and he has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

But recently Essien hasn't featured heavily in first-team plans and he has indicated that he would be open to a January switch, possibly on loan.

The report suggests that Allegri had been reticent to sign Essien as he felt the 31-year-old didn't fit in with his tactics but that Seedorf may have a different view.

No approach has been made yet but the switch in coach at San Siro may now open the way for Essien to join Milan with the most likely scenario being a loan until the end of the season with the possibility of making the transfer permanent then.

Paul Watson

Paul Watson wrote for Football Italia for four years before fleeing to the tiny Micronesian island of Pohnpei to coach the world's lowest ranked national football team. On his return he released a book called 'Up Pohnpei' in February 2012. A documentary called The Soccermen follows in early 2014 and a feature film of the book is in production. Paul is currently head coach at a new Mongolian Premier League club and is charged with the mission of creating the strongest team in Mongolian football history.